Chapter CCLXIX: The Palace of Alexandra Part XI

"HHHAAAA!"

Running fast, Nozomi had her blade ready and in another second-!

"RRAARRGG-!"

She cut straight through, the Heartless that was coming for her! Breathing hard, after doing many quick evasive moves to avoid the horrible Wolf Heartless, along with defending her team mates, Nozomi then seeing one of the threatening creatures disintegrate into dark embers, she uttered simply, "One!"

Seeing she'd dispatched this single creature, Cait sith then told her, "Great Lass, now hurry up and take out the other two!"
"Don't think I'm trying!? "She told him mad, but quickly-!

"Nozomi look out!"

"What-!?"

The female Keyblader turned at the voice of warning and saw to her horror, one of the monsters had snuck up from behind her and it's wide horrible jaws were ready to bite straight into her!

Her eyes widened in shock, there was no time for her to evade, she couldn't-!

BASH!

Suddenly running in out of nowhere, came none other than, "Jona!?"

For there indeed coming just in the nick of time was the exotic orange haired Sphynx!

Nozomi couldn't believe it! But quickly, her saviour turned around and with a smug grin told her, "Looks like that's your number two, huh?"

Puzzled Nozomi at first didn't get it. But she realised what she meant and said, "Oh yeah, it is! Thanks Jona!" Then as she grasped her Keyblade ready again, she asked, "How many have you got to go?"
"One!" She boasted, with that cracking her knuckles, she revealed, "Those things didn't stand a chance against my strength!"

"I bet!" Nozomi laughed, but then-!

"Oh lasses!"

Cait sith suddenly cried out, for there descending from the heavens above them was Xehanort! His Keyblade Annihilation, burned angrily with red energy! As it did, he grinned widely with manic eyes as he released his attack "Flare Shot!"

Quickly Nozomi and Jona ran straight out of the way of the burning attack! For as it impacted the sandy ground!

EXPLODE!

Immediately a red burning inferno of fire exploded, sending burning sandy particles everywhere!

However quickly hiding behind a tall dune of sand together, Nozomi grimaced as she felt the horrible radiation of heat that Xehanort's attack unleashed. Looking at it as it quickly burned away, Nozomi couldn't help but say, "Man! I wouldn't want to be caught in that blast!"

"Obviously!" Jona uttered, then she couldn't help but add, "I don't need a deeper tan!"
Then Cait sith told her, "Lass that was a poor joke!"

"Well excuse me!" Jona told him. But before she could do anything else-!

"Shining Star Rays!"

Suddenly Nozomi unleashed her own attack and in seconds, a wolf Heartless that tried to attack them from above was immediately thrown back by Nozomi's long range attack!

Surprised, Cait sith and Jona hadn't noticed this oncoming attack at all! However Nozomi herself smiled to her Sphynx friend and told her, "There's your third for you!"

As this was said to her Jona then released a laugh and told her, "Well thank you!" But again-!

EXPLODE!

Another explosion was unleashed, but this one was in the distance! Hearing this, Nozomi quickly became worried and said, "That could have been Reeve or Timbre!?"

Thinking of her brother being in jeopardy angered Jona tremendously, quickly she told Nozomi, "You get going! You're faster than me!"

The female Keyblader had no reason to disagree and replied, "You got it!" With that she went running, quickly calling upon her wings so she could take off into the air!

However as they took off, Cait sith called back, "You just hurry up and catch up lass! We need all the firepower we've got!"

"Oh don't worry!" Jona replied, then as they left she heard-!

"RRRGGGHHH!"

She then saw that the Heartless monster Nozomi had struck down, hadn't been destroyed. But that was to change, as Jona clicked her knuckles again and quickly her vibrant orange power began to brim and burn all over her, as it did she finished saying, "I'll be there very, very soon...!"

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Breathing in and out hard, Zidane saw that the Heartless were all around them.

It felt like the heroes had been fighting the monsters forever! For the longer they stayed there in the abyss of darkness, the stronger the Heartless were becoming.

As he wiped away the sweat from his brow, Zidane had to admit, "This is bad guys! One strike from any of these things on us, I know none of us will make it!"

"What can we do!?" Shirma asked becoming worried, for she knew that soon she'd be out of magic. If she couldn't heal anyone, then they would-!

"We can't give up fella's! If we do, it really will be the end for us!" Mickey told them all, for he knew that giving into despair was the sure fire way for the darkness to truly finish them!

"No-one's trying to Mickey! But what can we do!? Nothing's opened up for us here!" Then looking at all the Heartless as their alien yellow glowing eyes continued to gaze at them hauntingly, he continued on to say, "They're all just waiting for the right moment to eat us alive now! I just can't think of what to do!?"

Pete was struggling too... if he had better control over the darkness they wouldn't meed to be going through this, but against Xehanor's will he couldn't-!

"You're not the only one," Mickey admitted.

Shirma was surprised by this, "What? You don't know either your majesty?"

Shaking his head, Mickey then said, "Yeah, I'm finding it hard to think of something too..." However as he gripped his Keyblade tightly, despite his weariness he told them, "But I promise fella's, we will get through this! I know we will cause-!"

GLOW...

Suddenly everyone was distracted as there in Pete's arms, Hari's whole body began to glow vibrantly all over with red power! In that abyss she was the only light that existed in that darkness.

Nobody could believe it! Staring on, Mickey asked, "Pete what's Hari doin there!? What's she-!"

"I dunno!? She's just suddenly-!" Then cutting him off, the light Hari was shining with began to drown out all the darkness that was there, it was blinding all of them as it continued to grow as the living weapon began to transform...

SHINE!

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Within the nothingness, Hari was silent as her Mother placed her hand upon her cheek. As she did, the green eyed girl couldn't feel her touch, all she could do was stare on at her quietly.

Her creator only continued to smile as she told her, "You have progressed well, I see the Lock has increased your potential tenfold...with barely any damage incurred at all, just as it was all intended."
Staring up to her as she continued to make her observations, Hari
then asked"Are you of the living?"
"I am the Will that was left behind," The image of her Mother explained and saying this, she told her, "I am the final program that was created... so that her final desire will be achieved, the very purpose that you were born to complete."

"Purpose..." Hari asked, however she didn't need think long as she knew it was, "Xehanort."

"Good girl..." Rosso told her, with that she placed both her hands upon her cheeks, as she did she told her, "Now I will unleash your final form, so that at last you will become the ultimate weapon, you were always meant to become!"

Hari didn't respond to this, all she did was close her eyes and in another moment...!

The image of Rosso bent down and kissed Hari upon her forehead and quickly as her image vanished, Hari's body began to glow vibrantly all over with red power and as she did, something began to move inside her. Quickly Hari felt something and her eyes widened and then-!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

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"AAAGGGHHH!"

Hearing this scream from the blinding red radiance, Pete never thought he would hear it. It was Hari, screaming! Horrified he cried out to her, "HARI!?"
But he could do nothing nor anyone else there, as something began morph into something monstrous...!

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"RRGGHH...!"

Breathing hard, Timbre then uttered, "There! That's the last one!" Both he and Reeve had at last been able to defeat the wolves that had come for them!

As he pulled his long spear out of the creature it finally dissipated into embers, as it did Timbre then heard, "You really have great reflexes don't you?"
"Of course!" Timbre told him, for gripping his spear tightly as the other three floated around him, he added with a grin, "After all, you know all about cats right?"

"I suppose!" Reeve laughed, then he went to walk over to Timbre. However before he could fully make it over-!

"There you are!"

The two of them then spied, that there flying overhead was Xehanort again! Immediately the Master of Darkness aimed his Keyblade at them and a fiery spell began to grow!

Seeing this with alarm, Reeve cried out, "Timbre move!"
The pink haired Spyhnx's eyes widened but quickly-!

"Agh!"

His arm was grabbed and immediately the two of them charged on ahead and as they did, they quickly dove over a dune and slid down the sand before-!

EXPLODE!

A fiery explosion behind them blasted the area they had stood in only moments before! Breathing fast trying to recover, Timbre couldn't help but say, "Whoa! That was way too close!"
"I know..." Reeve replied. The two of them had no idea of what Xehanort would do next. He hadn't moved from the position he was flying from, instead he just stayed aloft as though he was waiting for something. But what though?

Then the two males heard the sinister man ask in an amused tone, "Oh where have you both run off to...?"
"Why's he speaking like that?" Timbre asked baffled.

Reeve clenched his hand around his sword, he then said, "He's toying with us!" With that preparing himself for another attack he added, "Clearly with revelry! Get ready!"

With a nod, Timbre did just that and had his spears surround them both looking around for any other monsters that might come!

However unbeknownst to them a shadow was beginning to grow overhead from the dune they were hiding beneath, it trailed silently and quickly appearing behind them and in another second-!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Horrified Timbre then saw that Reeve had been grabbed! He was being held by a long dark clawed hand and arm!

Terrified for him, Timbre cried out in alarm, "Reeve!?"

The knight to the lost princess saw the monstrosity that was holding onto him! It was a tall spindly ominous figure covered in multiple bandages, with twin long antenna coming from it's humanoid head and again like the rest of the Heartless, it had glowing yellow alien eyes that seemed to stare into his soul!

In shock seeing it and then realising where it had come from, Reeve called out, "Timbre look out! He's using all the shadows around us to-!"

"Too late for that!"

Turning it was then that Reeve saw that more Heartless were coming from the shadows! Timbre was busy trying to rid himself of the monsters! They were all crawling out of the darkness like swarms of insects! It was horrible!

But Reeve didn't have time to register this, for-!

"OOAAGGHH!"

The monster had opened its mouth and revealed a gaping black hole that was going to suck him into oblivion! He couldn't let this happen! Quickly he went to draw his sword but-!

"Agh!"

However all his limbs were grabbed and he couldn't move his sword arm any more! Looking on he saw that dark tendrils were growing from the darkness too, the scene was literally becoming a living nightmare!

"Reeve!?" Timbre cried out! However as he swiped and destroyed a couple more of the monsters-!

"Hey!"

Quickly though Timbre too was grabbed though this time by his legs! He was stilled in seconds and couldn't move anymore! He couldn't help his comrade anymore!

"Timbre!?" Reeve cried out, but it was too late the monster swiftly moved him towards it's jaws and in seconds dropped him! This was the end!

"Luminous Tornado!"

Immediately Reeve was swept away from the horrible monster! As he was, in surprise seeing the wind that had carried him away, it was then he saw, "Nozomi!?"

However the female Keyblader didn't have time to speak! Instead she was straight over helping Timbre, hacking away at all the Heartless that were trying to drag him into the abyss!
But as he travelled through the air, another old face came to greet him, "Honestly Reeve!"

Looking on the man saw that it was none other than his Familiar Cait sith who'd made it over to him as he landed. He regaining his balance as he stood back up, he heard the crowned cat tell him, "I leave ya for what twenty minutes! And ya can't even deal with Heartless by yaself can ya!?"

"Nice to see you too!" Reeve replied back with an awkward smile.

"Don't give me that! Ya gotta put on yer A game here or-!"

SLASH!

SLICE!

Suddenly interrupting the small cat, Reeve had stepped in and immediately sliced away a long tendril that had come and tried to smash straight into them both.

As the remains of the tendril landed some distance away, Cait sith was speechless, however Reeve told him, "Or we get eaten, right?"

Cait sith quiet for a moment didn't know what to think. But annoyed he told him, "Don't get smart with me!"

"WWWHHHEEE!"

The monster was agitated and quickly it emerged from the shadows of the dune fully, looking at it, Reeve couldn't help, "It sure is ugly! The only place that thing belongs really is in the darkness!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Again more tendrils came for them both! However immediately both of them evaded and as they did, Cait sith annoyed said, "Oi! I just have about had it with that beasty!"

"Ditto!" Reeve uttered in agreement. However as he did, an idea occurred to him, "Hey? Wanna do a spell for old time's sake?"

Hearing this, Cait sith didn't know what he meant at first, but quickly it occurred to him, "Oh? You mean that one right? The one we did on that blasted Malboro that dared to try and eat our highness whole?"

With a strong nod, Reeve replied, "The same!"
Punching his gloved fist into his open palm, Cait sith replied, "Let's get 'im with it then!"
With a smile, both Reeve and Cait sith then charged forwards to take down the horrible Heartless!

"Take this!" Nozomi cried out, with that-!

SLICE!

She cut into the Heartless and destroyed all the tendrils in seconds!

Immediately pleased to have his freedom back, Timbre told, "Whoa! Thanks Nozomi!" With that he ran out of the shadow of the dune with her following him.

As they both made it back into the light she had to ask him, "Are you okay Timbre?"

"Yeah I'm fine, but what about Reeve? Is he-?"

"Eat this ya giant loudmouth!"

With that Cait sith threw a small shining sphere into the monster's mouth and simultaneously Reeve did the same! The Heartless practically sucked them up as it moved to strike them down with it's long tendrils!

"Reeve!" "Cait sith!"

Seeing this, Nozomi and Timbre went quickly to assist them both however they didn't need to run for too long as suddenly-!

SHINE!

The monster began to shine from within itself! Then all at once it began to inflate almost like a hot air balloon! Shocked by this Timbre and Nozomi clearly didn't know what to think!?
As the male Sphynx tried to compute this, he uttered, "Just what is-!"

"TAKE THIS!"

With that in seconds, Reeve slice straight into the monster and-!

BOOM!

The monster blew up and turned into nothing but dark embers and with that the Heartless in the area all vanished.

Staring on wide eyed in amazement, neither Timbre or Nozomi could believe what had just happened!? It was just too-!
"Hey!" Then at that moment, finally arriving on the scene it was none other than-!

"Jona!" Timbre cried out, clearly glad to see his older sister was alive and well, but just as quick he had to ask, "Did you see that! What Reeve did to that Heartless, it was-!?"

"Just what the blighter deserved!" Cait sith declared loudly, obviously proud.

Nozomi hearing this, puzzled had to ask, "Um? How did you blow him up like a balloon?"

"We made him swallow two whole portions of a max Protection spell and with my powers and Cait Sith's combined..." Explaining the technique, Reeve then released a laugh and ended it saying, "Well you saw the result."

Nozomi could say nothing to this except, "Yeah, I did..."

"RRRAAAGGGHHH!"

Suddenly this loud sound distracted everyone, however recognising it Nozomi turned around with her blade ready and-!

SLICE!

Cut straight through the last wolf monster that had come to end her! Everyone was shocked, Nozomi though herself was relieved and simply said with a sigh, "I guess that was the last thing waiting behind the dune..."

"It wasn't..."

Immediately on alert, Nozomi and everyone else quickly saw that again appearing before them all walking over with total calm, with his dark menacing aura still brimming all around him. It was none other than Xehanort himself!

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Looking on the group were horrified as much as Pete who was shivering horribly seeing the transformation that was happening to Hari, he just couldn't believe his eyes!

"Pete what's happening there!? What's Hari doing!?" Zidane cried out, utterly shocked.

The overweight villain quickly replied, "I dunno! She just-!"

"Let go..."

Looking down, Pete hearing her voice couldn't believe it! His accomplice had stopped writhing and she was-! Quickly he asked her worried, "Hari yer awake!? Are ya okay? Wha-?"

"I SAID LET GO!"

BLAST!

"AAAGGGHHHH!"

"Captain Pete!?" Mickey couldn't believe it! Suddenly out of Hari's body a massive blow of red power charged at him and sending him falling back like he'd been struck by lightning!

Concerned he went over to him immediately! Quickly he asked him, "Are ya okay? Are ya-!"

"YOU INCOMPETENT FAT OAF!"

Hearing this voice say those words with such venom, everyone looking on was shocked. For there was something horribly wrong, Pete cringing in pain opened one eye as he moved his aching body up, "Yer...yer not Hari!"

For the voice that had spoken, wasn't the calm logical tone that was his treasured accomplice, instead it was a venomous hate filled voice. Then as this person stared at them, Hari's once green serene eyes turned into a viscous red.

Staring at this person as she looked on at them all, a sneering smile came across Hari's expressionless face. As it did, she told Pete, "Good deduction!" However-!

"RRROOOAAARRRGGGHHH!"

The Heartless all around them, began to spill forth from all the corners of the dark abyss they were trapped in! They swarmed forth like a tsunami of Locusts!

Everyone was terrified, while the possessed Hari still smiling turned and said, "Now let us dance, while I slice you all into ribbons!" With those words her power radiated out and-!

SHINE!

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"So I see you all finished my little entrée of wolf Heartless didn't you?" Xehanort asked with amusement.

Everyone was nervous and on high alert as they stood together defensively, Timbre though with his spears at the ready couldn't believe the words that had come out of Xehanort's mouth, "You call those Heartless an entrée?"

"Oh yes, why didn't you like them?" Xehanort asked jokingly.

"Tch!" Jona couldn't help but scoff as she told him, "If that's your idea of what you think of tasty, then I say you have lousy taste!"

"Pity," Xehanort then chuckled. But as he did-!
"Get ready!" Reeve told them all, for he could feel the horrible Master of Darkness's power growing immensely!

Everyone then tensed as Xehanort extended out his sharp armoured covered hands and said, "I'll just have to whip up something more fitting!" Then in seconds-!

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

Suddenly four more of the spindly tall Heartless grew out of the sandy ground, they practically stood high like trees! In seconds their long tendrils came for them all as Xehanort raced towards them saying, "Now time to increase your pain!"

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SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

It was literally a whirlwind of blades! As the person who was Hari moved and in seconds decimated all the Heartless with raging red blasts of power everywhere!

As she did this though-!

SLASH!

"Agh!"

"Shirma!?"

The pink haired white mage had stepped forwards and was creating a shield to protect everyone from the viscous power! She'd done well for the most part but-!

SLASH!

"Tch!" However that didn't mean she could avoid every blow and what had got past her spell were instead damaging her!

Zidane couldn't stand seeing this and cried out, "Hey stop! You can't suffer this alone you-!"

Then shocking him, the pink haired girl turned around with a pained smile on her face. As she told him, "As long as you're all okay, I can take it so..."

However it was clear that she wouldn't be able to take it for much longer! Pete seeing what she was going through for them, gripped his fist tight. Then looking to Mickey he told him, "Hey! What're ya watin' fer?"

"What?" The Mouse king was baffled, before Pete told him mad, "Heal me already! I gotta clobber some sense back into Hari! She's gone haywire!"

"But Pete, that's not Hari anymore! You heard that voice! She's-!"

"She's still in there!" He retorted back and with that he added his determination growing, "And if anyone can break through and get to her, it'll be me! You got that!"

Hearing his determination, Mickey was surprised. He never thought his old captain would care about another this deeply again, he couldn't help but be in awe. There was no time to delay so he nodded and told him, "Okay got it!" With that he went to heal his old captain!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

The possessed Hari continuing her viscous onslaught of power against all the monsters was delighting in all the chaos she was causing! As she did, she couldn't help but say, "This! This amazing power! It truly is the greatest of all!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Then as she began to rid herself of the last of the Heartless, she couldn't help but say, "Just wait! Just you wait Xehanort! Soon you will experience the full force of my-!"

"KNOCK IT OFF!"

"Hm?"

CRASH!

There coming out of nowhere it was none other than Pete! He'd aimed a punch straight at the ferocious young woman... only to miss. For she jumped straight out of his reach and then as she did, she looked at him with annoyance as she uttered, "Oh? It's only you."
As he'd done this, finally her viscous attack had stopped and-!

"Urgh!" Shirma lost her concentration, falling from the exhaustion the spell had caused her.

"Shirma!" Quickly in seconds, Zidane caught her in his arms! Worried for her, he said, "Mickey help her!"

Nodding, quickly the Mouse King went to do just that!

Mad Pete then told her, "Now that's enough! What do ya think yer doin!? Using that power! Don't ya know ya could have hit us back there!? Hari would never be that reckless!" With a prosecuting finger he demanded, "Who the heck are ya!? What have ya done with my Hari!?"
As this was demanded of her, the possessed girl asked him with a curious look, "Your Hari?" Then as she did this-!

GLOW!

Pete shivered as Hari's right eye began to light up with a pink power, as it did she studied him quietly...

The overweight villain was nervous, however he didn't allow himself to shake. Instead he kept his angered expression and as he did, he heard-!

"Ha Ha Ha..."

He heard her chuckle at him, becoming angered further he demanded, "What're you laughing at!?"
"You, obviously!" The girl told him, then as she studied him she revealed what she'd learned, "Caring about my weapon so hopelessly."

Still not understanding, Pete asked, "What?"
"I've seen the totality of your memories and emotions, you think of this girl I now am as kin to you don't you?" The girl asked him mockingly.

Shocked she'd learned that, Pete then told her mad, "So what if I do!? That can't stop me from-!"

"Oh but it can! She has no need of family! She is my weapon! Her only purpose to live is to eradicate Xehanort and then after, she will finally be my key to resurrection! I will use her and create a new empire, where none will ever stand above me, Rosso Crimson again!"

Everyone then became horrified! "Rosso!? She's alive and she's taken over-!"

"Nothing like that darling," Rosso corrected him. With that she revealed, "I implanted a program that contained my personality within the Lachesis Lock, so in time with the more darkness it was exposed to, I gained in power and more in strength until I reached my peak!" Then as she said those words, ferocious red power began to radiate around her again!

SHINE!

Everyone was horribly nervous with Pete quickly becoming the same. Rosso then proclaimed, "And now I am ready to rid the worlds of that scum of a man! The one who ruined everything in my life, I will kill Xehanort with my own hands!"

Pete couldn't believe it... it was almost like he was staring at a darker image of himself. She was like him, when he was abandoned by the people at Disney Castle! The hatred and wanting to get back at them. Gripping his fist he realised finally, "Quit yer whingin!"

"I beg your pardon?" Rosso asked him with annoyance again.

"You heard me! I don't care about no gripes ya got with that creep! Ya could have done better for yaself! Ya should have let go and concentrate on what really was important!" With that he declared, "Ya should have loved yer own kid!"

"Love?" Then releasing another smaller chuckle she asked, "Did those words seriously escape your lips?"

"They did!" Pete wasn't ashamed for he quickly added, "Cause I mean it! Even with the lock in her she's a super kid! She cares even in the smallest of ways! Helpin' when she don't need to! Tryin' her darndest to make those happy around her! I saw all that and in her memories that were revealed to us!" Then for a moment he shook his head, unable to remember who'd done that, but he remembered the pain she'd been through. It made his heartache as he proclaimed, "She was tryin' most of all for you! But ya never gave anythin' back! All ya did was take! Take! Take! Take! And take some more!"

"What's your point to all this?" Rosso asked him.

"I mean this! I ain't gonna let ya take anymore from her! I won't let ya take her body and heart! I'm gonna give to her! I'm gonna spoil her so rotten that I'll make up for all the trash ya put her through! I'm gonna be..." Then taking a deep breath he shouted out, "I'm gonna be the best dad she never had!"

Everyone couldn't believe the power of his words. They were so passionate and warm, even Mickey couldn't help but echo softly, "Pete..."

Then as he took some deep breaths, Pete then looking at her mad still added, "And I'm gonna begin by clobberin' the heck outta of ya Rosso! Yer gonna give her back! I won't let ya hurt her no-more!"

"How foolish," Rosso commented. Then as her power grew, it reached it's zenith as it did she told him, "You won't be able to do anything, you'll all be left here to be devoured by the Darkness, you'll never-!"

"No!"

"Urgh!"

Suddenly Rosso grasped at her own chest, as something was raging and aching inside!

Staring on, Zidane didn't understand as he asked, "What's happening?"

Mickey responded, "I dunno, maybe-!"

"Pete..."

It was then that everyone saw that Rosso's viscous red eyes had been replaced by Hari's serene green again. As they did, they instantly knew! It was her-!

"Hari!" With that Pete ran to get her but-!

"No stop you can't! Mother stop!" Then suddenly she was struggling again! It was clear to everyone, Hari was fighting her. Her Mother Rosso who was working within the Lock to regain control of her daughter's body!

Seeing her do this, Pete called out to her, "Hari I know ya can do it! Fight her ya can win!"

Hari's body struggled and shook, then as she did the viscous red sparks of power flared up more intensely! As they did-!

SHINE!

The power increased more! The red light was blinding! Then next the only thing they heard was-!

"YOU FOOLISH GIRL!"

With that the world faded into nothing but white...

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FWISH! FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!

The Heartless all unleashed their attacks at once, sending their long tendrils flying all at once at the Vessels! Seeing them all coming for them, Reeve immediately acted, "Scatter!"

With that everyone went to do just that! They all scattered instantly! Each of them missing the oncoming deadly grasping claws of the Heartless!

As they all hit the sand, making particles fly through the air, Timbre trying to protect his eyes said, "That was too close!"

"You're telling me!" Nozomi agreed but then-!

"But this is closer!"

Horrified the young girl and boy saw that there having approached them fast was behind was Xehanort! Then-!

GRAB! GRAB!

He grabbed them both by their heads and quickly-!

ZZZAAAPPP!

They were given a horrible burst of his power of darkness as they were zapped all over by red electricity!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

"Nozomi!" "Timbre!"

In terror seeing this happened both Jona and Reeve had yelled out for them! Then as they did, Cait sith who was upon Reeve's shoulder told him, "Lads we gotta get over there and help them!" There was no disagreement and quickly they both rushed to give their younger friends aid!

"So the old come to help the young, huh?" Smirking at this thought as he continued to torture Nozomi and Timbre, Xehanort then said, "That's usually the opposite isn't it?"

Rushing on further ahead, Jona fuelled by rage at seeing her young brother being harmed yelled, "Let them go!"

Grinning still Xehanort replied, "Alright!" Then-!

BLAST! BLAST!

They were sent hurtling backwards with thunderous power and in seconds-!

FWISH! FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!

The two were grabbed in seconds by the Heartless tendrils! Horrified, Jona couldn't believe it! But quickly-!

CLASH!

She brought forth her arms and defended herself against a deadly blow that Xehanort tried to land on her in her distracted state!

Continuing to smile sinisterly, Xehanort then said, "You really are strong aren't you, to withstand a blow from me!"

Gritting her teeth in anger, Jona then told him, "You won't be the same!" With that she gathered her power into her legs and in another second-!

SMASH!

She struck straight into him, sending him flying into the air with a somersault kick! Then feeling her rage fuelling her further, she went to chase after him saying, "Now I'm going to-!"

"Jona stop!"

Immediately she was broken out of her rage filled state, as she was she turned and saw it was Reeve who'd called out to her! She was about to enquire why he'd stopped her when she heard him say, "You need to go and help your brother and Nozomi too!"

"A tag team is it?"

It was then they looked above them both and there suddenly they saw Xehanort coming down to attack them both from the air! But quickly-!

FLASH!

SHINE!

In seconds Reeve had called upon his shield and as he did, Xehanort's horrible power crackled against his own! As it did, he said to Jona with gritted teeth, "Go get going! I'll hold him back!"

Hearing this, Jona was silent for a moment. But thinking of her brother, he was more important than any punch she wanted to land on that parasite of a man! Realising this she replied, "Okay! You just hold on till we get back!"

"Just get movin' lass!" Cait sith told her mad!

With that the orange haired Sphynx ran to go and assist her ally and brother who needed her!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

FLASH!

Meanwhile elsewhere within the halls of the palace, there emerging from a portal of some kind, five humanoid forms appeared!

Four were upon the floor, exhausted from the powerful burst of energy that had struck them all at the same time. The one who brought them there and caused this pain, was still trying to maintain control of their body, as the two personalities fought and fought over and over again! Hari who had momentary control cried out, "Mother! You can't hurt Pete! Not anyone here you can't!"

Overhearing them, despite the new surge of pain he'd been smacked with. Pete groaning was fighting hard to move, to get up! Hearing his accomplices pained voice, he uttered, "Ha...ri!"

"You weakling! All this time you had to...!" Angry, Rosso clenched her teeth as she had control for a moment again! As she did so, she turned to where Pete was still looking up to them both. Seeing the overweight henchman looking at her so pathetically, she wanted to tear him apart! Burning with power, she brought forth her daughter's Keyblade and said, "Become soft over a piece of useless piece of fat like him!"

SHINE!

She then began to glow brightly with the deadly power of the Fourth Fragment, as she did she then proclaimed, "If he's gone now you'll have no reason to-!"

KABOOM!

Then suddenly in the distance, there came the loud sound of a powerful blast of magic!

Stilling for a moment hearing this, Rosso was quiet. But quickly she sensed it, "This power it's...!"

CLICK!

Then suddenly something activated inside of her daughter's chest. A manic smile came to Rosso's face as she realised, "At last it's time!"

Not understanding what she meant, Pete was going to question but-!

SLICK! SLICK! SLICK! SLICK! SLICK!

Suddenly her wing's came out of her back, however they were no longer the white sail ones with the bronze metal frames. Instead these one were pure black and looked parasitic as they squirmed eerily with red ends. Then as they emerged-!

"HA ! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

The rest of his accomplice's body went through a whole transformation too! Her form was covered quickly up by her armour, however instead the gold and warm reds it once was. Instead it was now a deadly dark grey that reminded him of dread and the gold was replaced by lines of black as a terrible red burned all around her.

The visor that appeared and hid her eyes away, was red like the invader's deadly intentions. The quiet and logical, gentle girl he knew had been replaced by a demon!

"So he's here!" With that the demonic knight turned, sensing her arch nemesis was nearby!

Pete seeing her go to move, angrily told her, "Don't you be leavin'! I got unfinished business with ya! Ya can't-!"

The woman paid him no heed though, instead she beat her wings-!

WHOOSH!

And quickly she was gone leaving him behind in the dust, aching from his injuries as the rest of the heroes with him were left in the darkness of unconsciousness...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey let go!" Nozomi cried out mad aching from the paralysing pain she'd been inflicted with, she was trying desperately to make the horrible tendrils of the Heartless let go of her! However simply trying to strike around was proving useless, for there was nothing within the read of her Keyblade! This was frustrating!

"You stupid Heartless!" Timbre cried out aching just as much, for as it grabbed his legs, it was turning him upside down! Incensed he quickly called his power of levitation and as he did, he immediately called all the spears that had scattered about him and quickly-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

He destroyed all the tendrils that had been holding him, then as he did falling back onto the sandy earth, he said with a smile, "There I'm not that helpless!"

But quickly-!

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

The Heartless all started to try and go after him again as they sent their tendrils after him. But quickly he dodged out of the way saying, "Boy that was close!"

"Hey! No!"

Hearing this cry of panic, Timbre turned and there he saw much to his horror the Heartless holding onto Nozomi was trying to devour her whole as it held her over it's massive jaws, it was trying to do a repeat of what had nearly happened to Reeve!

"Oh no you don't!" With that he sent his spears and-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Nozomi was quickly freed! As she was much to her relief, she cried out, "Thanks Timbre!"

"No problem!" With that he quickly dove out of the way as more of the Heartless's tendrils came after him!

Nozomi making it to the ground, quickly saw the monster's were trying to do the same to her too! But acting fast, she called upon her powers and cried out, "Shimmering Sewing!" With that she took off into the air as one of the orbs in the air pulled her out of harm's way!

"Nice going!" Timbre told her.

The female Keyblader then repositioning herself, called back, "Thanks!" However-!

KABOOM!

Far off in the distance a giant ball of fire spread out! Seeing this the two worried in seconds! Nozomi cried out, "The others we've gotta help them or-!"

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

Distracted the two of them turned and then they saw-!

FWISH! FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!

FWISH! FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!

FWISH! FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!

FWISH! FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!

A horrible sight of the four monstrous spindly long limbed Heartless all merge together in a whirlwind of darkness! Looking at the horrendous sight, it was so nightmarish that words couldn't describe it at all!

Looking up at it, Nozomi cried out, "Oh no!"

Even Timbre paled as he uttered, "This is not good!" Then-!

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

It went to quickly attack them all with countless tendrils! But moving fast Nozomi cried out, "Timbre!" With that she grabbed him and went to fly out of the way but-!

CLASH!

Suddenly arriving just at the right moment it was none other then-!

"Jona!?" Timbre cried out in surprise!

"That's me!" Then turning around she asked him with a grin, "You wouldn't forget me so soon would you little brother?"
"Tch, how could I after all the punches you've nailed me with!" Timbre laughed, glad to see she was alright!

"Talking about punches you better keep them up Jona or-!" But Nozomi need say no more when-!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

She did just that unleashing punch after punch against the attacks of the giant creatures! Each long tendril was thrown out of the line of fire! None of the blows could touch them!

Nozomi was in awe, "Wow! Jona your punches are enough to match Reeve's shield!"

"Thanks for the compliment!" The exotic Sphynx smiled in response. However she knew one thing though, "But we got to do something soon, or my energy will deplete and we'll-!"

SMASH!

Suddenly from on high. The sound of glass shattering echoed! As it did, Timbre asked what the heck is-!

BLAST!

"SCREEECCCHHHH!"

Then suddenly before everyone knew it, the monster had been completely wiped out and before everyone's eyes it was engulfed in a blazing red inferno... as it was, a single knighted figure emerged from the decimated ashes from where the monster stood.

Looking on as the fearsome dark knight approached them all, they all felt a chill go down all their backs. For as it's red vision gazed at them, the question had to be asked was this thing not the true nightmare they would now have to face...?